ACCIDENTALLY YOURS//JIKOOKAU (REWRITTING)

5: UNEXPECTED GUEST

A day later, Jimin did his laundry after he felt he was well rested. He was meeting his friends for lunch later so he decided to keep busy till then. He and Jeongguk had kept in touch, mostly Jeongguk kept calling and texting asking if he was okay, if he had eaten, or if he needed anything in general. His stomach was filled with butterflies when he read the texts. He was not going to deny that the feelings he had for Jeongguk before were growing at an alarming rate. He loved that Jeongguk was attentive in everything he said or did. He was happy that he now had someone to call him every night before he went to sleep and when he woke up.

He was vacuuming the living room when the doorbell rang then he heard the keypad beeping and the door opened. He turned off the vacuum and set it aside as his guest entered the living room.  He turned to see his mother standing just behind the couch arms folded on her chest. He was in trouble.

"Eomma," he called as he flew to her for a hug. He had missed her so much. His mother was stubborn to hug him, so he whined, knowing she wouldn't resist. "Aah eomma, why won't you hug me? I missed you."

"Yah, if you missed me you should have called me." She scolded as she hugged him back. "How are you, my baby?"
"I am okay." He said as he moved from her arms. He ushered her to sit on the couch. "Do you need anything?"

"No. Come sit with me." She patted the seat next to her. Jimin took a seat hesitantly. Normally when his mother visited, she would head to the kitchen to prepare something knowing how much he missed her homemade food. "I normally don't watch your airport videos because it doesn't sit well with me how your fans sometimes flock to you. Your father and I happened to see it in passing and it tugged my heart. You looked so sad baby, especially when you were leaving the States. Is something bothering you?"

Jimin felt like crying. How was he going to explain? She was going to be disappointed for sure. "Eomma you will be disappointed." He whispered looking down.

"Jimin-ah, there is nothing you would do that I won't forgive you. Don't torment yourself over such things." His mother assured. His left hand which he had been hiding from his mother shook slightly as he showed it to her. She looked at his hand puzzled. "What is this Jimin? Don't tell me-"
"I got married." He cut her off. His mother was shocked, her face could tell it all.

"Is this one of those pranks you and your brother pull on us?" Jimin shook his head no. "Who is it?"

"Eomma please, just give me some time. I'll bring him home." He tried to hold her hand but she pulled back and stood up immediately. She looked so betrayed that it made him start crying.

"I have to go." She whispered as she picked up her bag. He rushed to kneel in front of her and wrapped his hands on her knees.
"Eomma I'm sorry. Sorry." He cried to her.
"Yah Jimin-ah. Stand up. I never taught you to kneel to anybody. I just have to leave before I say something I will regret."
"You are mad at me," he whined.
"I will call you later when I've gathered my thoughts." She said as she pulled Jimin up. She kissed his forehead and left in a rush. Jimin fell back on his knees and cried feeling lost and overwhelmed. He had hoped to share the news of his marriage with his mother in a different context, possibly one filled with joy and celebration, not this awkward encounter that left him feeling exposed and vulnerable. He hugged his knees tightly trying to erase his mother's disappointed face.

After a long moment, he composed himself slowly, wiping away the tears that stained his cheeks. He couldn't change how his mother found out so he decided to focus on the future. He took his phone that was lying idly on the coffee table to check the time. He still had three more hours before his lunch date. He hurried to his bedroom for a quick shower and dressed in black skinny jeans, a black classic turtleneck, and a red cardigan. He carried his saddle backpack and headed to the living room where he took his phone from the table as he headed to the door. He put on his Chelsea boots and headed out. As soon as he got out of the elevator at the underground parking lot, he headed to his private parking space which had two of his cars. He chose to take his Genesis G70 so that he didn't stand out too much where he was headed. He got in and drove off to Seoul Central Business District.